Christianity, Love, and the Democratic Process

When contending for the involvement of Christians within the democratic process in America, we have to address the unfortunate reality that many people under the guise of Christianity have been violent, mean-spirited, and downright mean and nasty towards the very people whom God sent His Son to die, people with whom He has called us to share the Gospel with in the political realm in both word and deed.

The bombing of abortion clinics, picketing the funerals of homosexuals with signs that say, “God Hates Fags,” and calling for the killing of terrorists, saying that we should “blow them all away in the name of the Lord” (Jerry Falwell, CNN Late Edition) are not actions done in love. This is not the way that Christians are called to submit to the government (Romans 13.1) and engage in the political process. Those who claim that they are serving Jesus Christ and furthering His kingdom with such malice are misguided and wrong. Our submission to and involvement in the government and political process is to be in love.

As Christians, we have much to learn in engaging the democratic process in love. If our political engagement is carried out in a way that does not reflect the love of God as expressed in Jesus Christ, then we run the risk of irreparably damaging the bridge between Christians and non-Christians.